Thyroid Surgery

The thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the larynx, regulates the body's energy levels, releasing hormones to regulate metabolism. Thyroid hormones influence virtually every system in the body, regulating the rate at which organs function, as well as the body's consumption of oxygen and production of heat. When hyperthyroidism, the production of too much thyroid hormone, occurs, and cannot be adequately controlled with medication or other treatment, thyroid surgery is necessary.

Reasons for Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is used to treat a variety of thyroid conditions such as thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, or Graves' disease, an immune disorder that results in hyperactivity of the gland. When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone for any reason, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism results in the speeding up of the body's metabolism. This increased metabolic rate can have serious medical consequences, resulting in any or all of the following symptoms:

Goiter, enlargement of the thyroid gland

Rapid heartbeat

Unexplained weight loss

Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements

Irritability, anxiety

Intolerance to heat

Visual problems

Menstrual irregularities

Infertility

Surgery is rarely necessary to treat hyperthyroidism unless there is either a suspicion of cancer, a benign nodule that has grown large enough to interfere with swallowing or breathing, a cyst on the gland that refills after drainage, or if hyperthyroidism treatment with medication or radioactive iodine alone is not effective. Another reason for surgery is pregnancy, since it may not be safe for a pregnant woman to take the necessary medications or treatment.

Thyroid Surgery Procedures

There are several types of thyroid surgery, all involving partial or total removal of the gland. Which surgery is performed depends on the reasons for the procedure. The types of surgery for thyroid disease include:

Biopsy, removal of a tissue sample for microscopic examination

Lumpectomy, removal of a small diseased part of the thyroid gland

Lobectomy, removal of one lobe and the isthmus which connects the lobes

Subtotal thyroidectomy, removal of one lobe, the isthmus, and part of the second lobe

Total thyroidectomy, removal of the entire gland and the surrounding lymph nodes

Depending on several factors, especially how extensive the necessary procedure will be, the operation may be performed traditionally or with a minimally invasive video-assisted, sometimes robotic, procedure. The patient will have a breathing tube in the throat during surgery and a drain may remain in the neck for 12 hours after the procedure. The length of the surgery depends on how much needs to accomplished. Minimal operations may be performed outpatient, while for more complex surgeries the patient may be hospitalized for a night or two.

Recovery from Thyroid Surgery

After the operation, the patient's throat will be sore due to the breathing tube inserted during surgery. While most patients are able to return to their normal activities in one day or several, depending on the extent of the surgery, strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or vigorous sports, must be avoided for at least 10 days after the operation.

Most thyroid surgeries are very successful, but the majority of patients develop hypothyroidism as a consequence of the procedure. This will require ongoing treatment with hormone therapy, but is not usually problematic. The patient may also need follow-up treatment with radioactive iodine to shrink thyroid tissue either because hyperactivity of the gland continues to be an issue or in order to stem the growth of a thyroid cancer.

Risks of Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is generally a safe procedure, but complications may occur. In a very small number of cases, the nerves controlling the vocal cords may be damaged, resulting in hoarseness or other changes in voice quality. Laryngeal monitoring of the vocal cord nerves, however, enables the surgeon to be in careful control of the situation. Another possible cause for concern is that the parathyroid glands, which are tiny and difficult to differentiate from other tissue on the thyroid gland, may be inadvertently damaged during surgery.

Other risks are the risks inherent in any surgical procedure. These include: excessive bleeding, abnormal blood clots, adverse reaction to anesthesia or medication, infection, or breathing problems.